Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, February 4, 2019.
Saudi activists tortured
A group of British lawmakers have endorsed reports by rights groups and media that the authorities in Saudi Arabia tortured detained women activists in the kingdom. Lawmakers Crispin Blunt, Layla Moran and Paul Williams said they found the reports to be credible. They described the detainees' treatment as cruel and inhumane, saying the responsibility likely lies with authorities at the highest level. The lawmakers said Riyadh had violated international law by ignoring requests to visit the detainees and denying them access to legal advice. Last month, Amnesty International said it had documented 10 cases of torture and abuse in Saudi Arabia- including sexual harassment, electrocution, flogging and death threats. Saudi officials and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are already under fire for last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Pope's UAE visit
Pope Francis is in the United Arab Emirates for the first visit by a pontiff to the Arab country. As part of his three-day visit, the pontiff will meet Emirati officials and senior Muslim figures to discuss inter-faith relations. Ahead of the trip, the leader of the Catholic Church condemned the war on Yemen and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis there. He also urged the international community to ensure the distribution of food, water and medicine among Yemeni people. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition that has been carrying out deadly airstrikes against Yemen since March 2015. The war has left over 15,000 Yemenis dead and many others injured since then.
US presence in Iraq
Iraqi politicians have reacted to recent remarks by the US president, who announced plans to keep American troops in Iraq to “watch Iran”. Lawmaker Sabah al-Saadi proposed a bill demanding a US military pullout, saying passing such a law is a national duty. Another parliament member said the US mission in Iraq is fighting against terrorism not watching others. Earlier, Iraqi president Barham Salih also hit back at Donald Trump, saying the Iraqi constitution rejects the use of Iraq as a base for attacking a neighboring country. On Sunday, Trump called Iran a real problem, adding it’s important for Washington to keep military presence in Iraq in order to keep a close eye on Tehran.
European meddling in Venezuela
Several European states have recognized Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president. Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Britain, Austria and Spain say they recognize Guaido, until free and fair elections are held in Venezuela. Their move came after Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro rejected a European ultimatum to call snap elections. Russia was quick to react to the European recognition of Guaido. The Kremlin said attempts to legitimize usurped power amounts to interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. Venezuela plunged into a deep political crisis, after head of the national assembly, Guaido, declared himself as the interim leader.
Somalia attack
At least eleven people are killed and several wounded in a car bomb explosion in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The blast ripped through a busy market near municipality buildings. Al-Qaeda franchise al-Shabab militants have claimed responsibility for the attack. Mogadishu is regularly targeted by al-Shabab. The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has since lost many of its strongholds elsewhere. But it retains control of rural areas in parts of Somalia and is pressing ahead with a guerrilla warfare against the government.
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